Our idea is to engage the workplace in Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. To teach 350,000 employees how to cook and experience fresh foods.

Why? Because the workplace is a powerful mechanism for change. Our wish is to create inspiring, engaging food experiences that impact individuals at work, at home and, eventually, across their respective communities.

Companies will benefit. Soaring health care costs and low participation in workplace wellness programs create an opportunity for an alternative approach. Softer side metrics like engagement and connections within an employee base will also be explored.

How might diverse work environments support cooking and fresh food for their respective employees?

Feb 16 2011:
What is interesting is that work and the workplace is often considered the reason behind a lot of our poor eating and cooking habits. We don't have time to make lunch so we pick something up in the cafeteria. We are tired or working late so we don't have time to grocery shop and prepare a meal for dinner. Having an employer teaching employees to cook not only transfers important lost skills but hopefully will show employees that their company cares and might help create an environment that removes some of the non skill based obstacles to cooking.

Feb 15 2011:
I like this concept. Jamie's ideas is very much about re-engaging the family in eating together. The fact is that we spend so much of our time at work, often catch a quick unhealthy bite at our desks. What a great idea to think that a whole office might stop and eat together. Not only would it promote and reinforce better eating habits, but I am sure it would foster a better culture in organisations.

Feb 15 2011:
great idea...only that the companies should be aware that those cooking skills need time to practice them....just think - buy them, prepare/cook takes at least one hour...and compare this with the time needed to buy a ready-made meal....and more, the employee might like to work only 7 hours instead of 9, so s/he goes home and cook that healthy meal....would the companies be willing to trade time against sickness pay...well, this is good to find out....just a thought :-)

Feb 15 2011:
Great thoughts Mia. One experiment we are running is to shop and prep as an employee community. At the end of the day colleagues can stop by to pick up their 'kits' and then finish it off at home. It happening tomorrow at Method in San Francisco. Will be good to see how people treat that one. - Chris

Mar 5 2011:
I saw the other day a very interesting nutritionist that include in her treatment cooking classes. She actually had a full equipped kitchen in her clinic. I thought "what a great idea". The truth is we don't know how to cook anymore! And once we start eating healthy, fresh and good food it's addictive. I'm sure there are many ways the companies could promote it. It's a great step towards a cultural change.

Feb 17 2011:
First if all I think that the idea is very applicable giving the fact that Everybody is facing the problem of healthy eating especially during office hours. we all go after junk food because its easy and fast and then regret the few extra pounds gained because of it. So, the best way to execute such idea is through ingredients that are already chopped , prepared and put in company's fridge . I dont know how the cooking process should go , giving the fact that people who work generally dont like cooking nor have the time, but i guess that during the lunch break employees could gather in the kitchen and start cooking a fast and healthy fiesta with ingredients that have already been prepared either at home or earlier in the week. Not only will they have fun and eat healthy food but they will also socialize and get to know each other better, and that eventually will lead them to loving their work more and who knows maybe they will grow a little bit more productive because daily routine and boredom has been cut off.

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